Madeira’s public transportation system is moving to a three-digit numbering system for all bus routes, a change designed to eliminate confusion caused by overlapping route numbers across different operators.
The update, announced Monday, March 23, 2026, by Transportes Integrados e Intermodais da Madeira (Tiim), the agency responsible for managing the system, is part of a broader modernization effort that began in July 2024 with the implementation of the SIGA network.
Officials say the change is primarily numerical and will not affect existing bus schedules or routes. “The alteration is above all numerical. There are no changes to the itineraries or usual schedules. The bus will continue to pass through the same places and at the same times,” according to a statement released by Tiim.
Currently, multiple bus companies – Companhia de Autocarros da Madeira (CAM), Horários do Funchal (HF), and SIGA Rodoeste – sometimes employ the same route numbers, leading to passenger confusion. For example, both Rodoeste and Horários do Funchal previously operated routes designated as number 7, serving different destinations.
The recent three-digit system will assign a unique identifier to each route, streamlining the network for riders who use multiple operators or travel between municipalities. The move underscores the region’s commitment to improving public transportation accessibility.
The implementation will be phased, with the new route numbers initially appearing on digital channels, such as vehicle information panels and official websites. Tiim says the changes will later be reflected on physical signage at bus stops.
The new route grid can be viewed online and will also be available in informational leaflets at operator sales and service points.
